VERO BEACH – The joint utility advisory committee established between Vero Beach, Indian River Shores and Indian River County decided Thursday to allow two firms who had been disqualified to make presentations on providing a study for a merger of the three entities’ water-sewer systems.The presentations and interviews will be held Feb. 25 in the Vero Beach City Council Chambers. Vero Beach Public Works Director Monte Falls suggested the committee waive the form requirement in order to consider the two additional firms given the low response. The three firms that completed the paperwork on time include Carollo Engineers, of Sarasota, GAI Consultants, of Orlando, and Post Buckley Shuh and Jernigan, of Tampa. Fort Lauderdale firm Keith & Schnars was preliminarily disqualified, though it provided the disclosure form 90 minutes late. Wade Trim, of Tampa, was also disqualified for failing to provide the form.The commision, which was formed during an Oct. 15 meeting with officials from all involved elected bodies, consists of two members from the City of Vero Beach, two members from Indian River County and two members from Indian River Shores.Representing the City of Vero Beach are Water and Sewer Utilities Director Rob Bolton and Public Works Director Monte Falls. Representing the Board of County Commissioners are Utility Director Erik Olson and Budget Director Jason Brown. Indian River Shores’ former Mayor Tom Cadden and building official Richard Jefferson represent the town.Currently, the Indian River Shores and the Board of County Commissioners have 30-year franchise agreements with the City of Vero Beach for water, wastewater and irrigation water service, expiring in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Each contract has a five-year notification clause, meanting the Town of Indian River Shores must notify the City as to its intentions about renewing the franchise by October 2011. The County must convey its intentions by March 2012.The commission was given a goal of devising a Request for Qualifications for a consultant to study the options for the utility systems, hiring a consultant and coming back to the various boards with a recommendation or recommendations by early summer 2010.VeroNews.com Online Editor Debbie Carson contributed to this report.
